Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I take it from the Tánaiste's response that the answer to my question whether the provision of 3,000 acute hospital beds continues to be Government policy is "Yes". I offer my condolences to the family of the late Mr. Patrick Walsh. The Tánaiste and I know why the intensive care bed available in the Cavan-Monaghan hospital group was not used. She needs to clarify this aspect of the matter at a later stage.

I was tempted to begin my response to the Tánaiste's comments about Government policy by saying that it seems that she disagrees with her boss. Many people are confused about who runs the health services. I would have assumed that they are being run by the Tánaiste, but it seems that Professor Drumm has become the driving force. He has said there is no need for more acute beds in the Irish hospital system. His comments may be seen as a U-turn on Government policy.

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